Stuart Cantlay, Nicole L Garrison, Rachelle Patterson, Kassey Wagner, Zoei Kirk, Jun Fan, Donald A Primerano, Mara L G Sullivan, Jonathan M Franks, Donna B Stolz, Joseph Horzempa
Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative, intracellular pathogen which can cause serious, potentially fatal, illness in humans. Species of F. tularensis are found across the Northern Hemisphere and can infect a broad range of host species, including humans. Factors affecting the persistence of F. tularensis in the environment and its epidemiology are not well understood, however, the ability of F. tularensis to enter a viable but non-culturable state (VBNC) may be important. A broad range of bacteria, including many pathogens, have been observed to enter the VBNC state in response to stressful environmental conditions, such as nutrient limitation, osmotic or oxidative stress or low temperature...
2024: Frontiers in Microbiology